Monkey Abroad

Author: Kevin Cook

  • Best Pho in Saigon… with Kyle Le!

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    Kevin Cook
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    We’re in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, with the one and only Kyle Le from Kyle Le Dot Net, eating what he says is the BEST PHO in all of Saigon. The restaurant: Phở Lệ, a locally owned pho restaurant that is famous for its outstandingly delicious beef pho. We each ordered the “special,”…

  • Sapa Hmong Homestay

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    Kevin Cook
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    With its rolling hills of rice terraces, Sapa looks like something out of a painting. Thanks to Ocean Tours, I recently got to visit this insanely beautiful region of northwestern Vietnam, learn about the Hmong hill tribe, trek through mountains and waterfalls, and enjoy a secluded home stay. If you plan to visit Sapa, Vietnam,…

  • STREET FOOD SHOWDOWN – Shiban Kaorou 石板烤肉

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    Kevin Cook
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    We are in Hualien, Taiwan (花莲) for the third episode of Street Food Showdown! Two 石板烤肉 (shi ban kao rou) vendors at a beachside night market are Hualien natives, so this is truly a test of whose traditional cooking will reign supreme. Taiwan street food at a Taiwan night market is incredible, and now it’s…

  • Traveling For 20 Dollars a Day: Guangzhou, China – Ep 23

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    Kevin Cook
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    In Guangzhou China, we ate loads of dim sum, explored the old area of Guangzhou and had a really fun day, thanks to my friend and local guide, Fei! Also, things got a little weird when fellow restaurant goers offer us some strange home-brewed alcohol. (20 USD = 130 RMB)Breakfast noodles – 10RMBWater – 1RMBSesame…

  • STREET FOOD SHOWDOWN – Jianbing 煎饼

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    Kevin Cook
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    Jianbing 煎饼 is a delicious breakfast snack served all over China, and it’s my favorite Chinese street food. There are two vendors cooking this delicious treat in my neighborhood in Shanghai, but there’s only enough room for one jianbing in my stomach! Watch the first episode of STREET FOOD SHOWDOWN and help me decide which…

  • Biang! The Most DIFFICULT Chinese Character… EXPLAINED!

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    Kevin Cook
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    Biáng is a Chinese character that’s so complex, it can’t be typed on a keyboard. With origins in China’s Shaanxi Province, the outrageous complexity of this character has given rise to many myths. In this video, I break down every component of biang, explain a rhyming jingle to help you remember how to write it,…

  • How I Learned to Speak Mandarin (up to HSK 4)

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    Kevin Cook
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    I learned to speak Mandarin Chinese by 1.) hiring a tutor; 2.) getting tons of foot massages; 3.) pursuing hobbies with my Chinese friends and foreigners who also study Mandarin; 4.) asking my Chinese girlfriend nonstop questions about Mandarin; 5.) consuming a ton of Chinese media like movies, music and TV shows; 6.) using study…

  • How To Self-Study Mandarin Chinese

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    Kevin Cook
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    Here are my personal self-study tips and hacks for you to try on your path to becoming a Chinese Language 自学成才! Top Comments:

  • Traveling for $20 A Day: Guiyang, China – Ep 22

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    Kevin Cook
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    We visit Guiyang, the capital of China’s Guizhou Province, and the surrounding areas of Huaxi and the ancient town of Qingyan. A ton of local Guiyang food, street food, transport around the entire city, a shoe-shining, a musical performance, a couple claw game failures, and a room in a hostel – all for 20 USD…

  • STREET FOOD SHOWDOWN: Beijing vs. Bangkok

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    Kevin Cook
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    Street Food Showdown continues with an extra special INTERNATIONAL battle between two street food GIANTS: Beijing and Bangkok… Two cities with a totally distinct style of street food. One opportunity for glory. This truly is an EPIC clash between Chinese street food and Thailand street food! Representing China, our vendor from Beijing cooks up Kao…